Govt announces Tk1 lakh reward for fuel hoarding info
Officials said informants providing verifiable intelligence to local administration will qualify for the reward, with strict guarantees of confidentiality to encourage public participation
ATT Correspondent 
The government has announced a cash reward of up to Tk 100,000 for individuals who provide credible information on illegal fuel hoarding and smuggling, as authorities step up efforts to stabilise supply and ease pressure on the market, says a press release.
According to the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry release sent to media on Monday, the announcement comes amid persistent disruptions blamed on panic buying and illicit stockpiling by organised groups.
Officials said informants providing verifiable intelligence to local administration will qualify for the reward, with strict guarantees of confidentiality to encourage public participation.
Supply surge fails to ease pressure
Despite a sharp increase in fuel distribution earlier this month, authorities acknowledged that supply has struggled to keep pace with demand.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman said daily supply between March 1 and 5 exceeded 24,000 metric tonnes—nearly double compared to the corresponding period of the previous year which was 12,700 tonnes.
“Even with the increased supply, the market could not be stabilised,” he said, attributing the imbalance to panic-driven consumer demand and illegal hoarding.
Supply levels were scaled back from March 6, before being raised again by up to 25 percent ahead of Eid. However, officials said these measures have yet to produce any meaningful improvement.
Tightened monitoring nationwide
In response, authorities have rolled out stricter monitoring across the country. District-level vigilance teams have been deployed to track distribution and identify irregularities in real time.
The government is also introducing “tag officers” at fuel stations to oversee allocation and verify that deliveries match official quotas—an effort aimed at plugging gaps in the supply chain.
Enforcement operations are ongoing nationwide, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment for those found involved in illegal activities.
Public role in enforcement
Officials stressed that public cooperation will be critical to the success of the crackdown. The reward scheme is designed to incentivise whistleblowers and strengthen accountability within the fuel distribution network.
The government believes the initiative will not only deter hoarding and smuggling but also restore confidence in the country’s fuel supply system at a time of heightened demand.
